Bill of Sale Requirements by State
Bill of sale requirements vary by state. Some states require a bill of sale for vehicle registration; others recommend it but do not mandate it. Use this overview to understand your state's requirements.
Note: Requirements change and vary by vehicle type, county, and transaction details. Always confirm with your official state agency.
| State | Status | Note | Official Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Alabama Law Enforcement Agency ↗ |
| Alaska | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Alaska Division of Motor Vehic ↗ |
| Arizona | ◆Conditional | A bill of sale is not always required when the signed title is available, but a … | Arizona Motor Vehicle Division ↗ |
| Arkansas | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Arkansas Department of Finance ↗ |
| California | ◆Conditional | Not required by state law but strongly recommended. Use a private-party form or … | California Department of Motor ↗ |
| Colorado | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Colorado Division of Motor Veh ↗ |
| Connecticut | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Connecticut Department of Moto ↗ |
| Delaware | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Delaware Division of Motor Veh ↗ |
| Florida | ◆Conditional | Not required by law but recommended. Florida's motor vehicle bill of sale (HSMV … | Florida Department of Highway ↗ |
| Georgia | ◆Conditional | Not required by state law but recommended as a record of the transaction. | Georgia Department of Revenue ↗ |
| Hawaii | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Hawaii County DMV Offices ↗ |
| Idaho | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Idaho Transportation Departmen ↗ |
| Illinois | ◆Conditional | Not required by law but strongly recommended. A written bill of sale protects bo… | Illinois Secretary of State ↗ |
| Indiana | ◆Conditional | A bill of sale (State Form 44237) is commonly used and is required when it serve… | Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicl ↗ |
| Iowa | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Iowa Motor Vehicle Division ↗ |
| Kansas | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Kansas Division of Vehicles ↗ |
| Kentucky | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Kentucky Transportation Cabine ↗ |
| Louisiana | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Louisiana Office of Motor Vehi ↗ |
| Maine | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles ↗ |
| Maryland | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Maryland Motor Vehicle Adminis ↗ |
| Massachusetts | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Massachusetts Registry of Moto ↗ |
| Michigan | ◆Conditional | Not required by state law but recommended. A written receipt or bill of sale is … | Michigan Secretary of State ↗ |
| Minnesota | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Minnesota Driver and Vehicle S ↗ |
| Mississippi | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Mississippi Department of Reve ↗ |
| Missouri | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Missouri Department of Revenue ↗ |
| Montana | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Montana Motor Vehicle Division ↗ |
| Nebraska | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Nebraska Department of Motor V ↗ |
| Nevada | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Nevada Department of Motor Veh ↗ |
| New Hampshire | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | New Hampshire Division of Moto ↗ |
| New Jersey | ✓Yes | A bill of sale is required from the seller and must include the buyer's name and… | New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commi ↗ |
| New Mexico | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | New Mexico Motor Vehicle Divis ↗ |
| New York | ◆Conditional | Not required by state law but recommended as a record of sale. | New York State Department of M ↗ |
| North Carolina | ◆Conditional | Not required by state law but strongly recommended as proof of the transaction. | North Carolina Division of Mot ↗ |
| North Dakota | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | North Dakota Department of Tra ↗ |
| Ohio | ◆Conditional | Not required by state law but recommended as proof of the transaction. | Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles ↗ |
| Oklahoma | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Oklahoma Tax Commission ↗ |
| Oregon | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Oregon Department of Transport ↗ |
| Pennsylvania | ◆Conditional | Not required by law but recommended as proof of the transaction. | Pennsylvania Department of Tra ↗ |
| Rhode Island | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Rhode Island Division of Motor ↗ |
| South Carolina | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | South Carolina Department of M ↗ |
| South Dakota | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | South Dakota Division of Motor ↗ |
| Tennessee | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Tennessee Department of Revenu ↗ |
| Texas | ◆Conditional | Not mandated but strongly recommended. Form 130-U serves as the primary transfer… | Texas Department of Motor Vehi ↗ |
| Utah | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Utah Division of Motor Vehicle ↗ |
| Vermont | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Vermont Department of Motor Ve ↗ |
| Virginia | ◆Conditional | A bill of sale or Vehicle Price Certification (Form SUT-1) is commonly needed wh… | Virginia Department of Motor V ↗ |
| Washington | ✓Yes | Washington uses the Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (Form 420-065); the sale price o… | Washington State Department of ↗ |
| West Virginia | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | West Virginia Division of Moto ↗ |
| Wisconsin | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Wisconsin Division of Motor Ve ↗ |
| Wyoming | ◆Conditional | Requirements vary by state. Always recommended as a record of the transaction. | Wyoming Department of Transpor ↗ |